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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , June 27 , 2018
New Windsor receives $ 330,420 grant for cemetery
The Town of New Windsor has received a $ 330,420 grant from the New York State Department of State Division of Cemeteries for headstone repair at the town owned Woodlawn Cemetery . This substantial grant will fully fund the repair of over 450 monuments that are dilapidated or in a state of disrepair .
Last April the town took over ownership of Woodlawn Cemetery , which is located in the heart of the town , from a private cemetery association that had failed financially . Since that time the town has invested in bringing the cemetery standards back up and working to make substantial improvements . This $ 330,420 grant is the first in what is hoped to be several grant funded projects .
The work on the headstone project is slated to begin this summer and will be completed within 90 days .
“ New Windsor is proud to be restoring Woodlawn Cemetery to pay proper respects to those who are buried in these hallowed grounds ,” Town Supervisor George Green said . “ This is a major grant for us to receive and will ensure each and every headstone in need of repair will receive it . I would like to thank Chief-of-Staff Colin Schmitt for spearheading this entire effort and working to make sure New Windsor Woodlawn Cemetery is a place of dignity and respect for all .”
Chief-of-Staff Colin Schmitt stated , “ We would like to thank the Division of Cemeteries for authorizing us for such a substantial grant award . New Windsor Woodlawn Cemetery is an active 74 acre cemetery . Our cemetery is a place of dignity and respect for those who have passed on .
New York State sues firefighting foam makers
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“ By taking necessary legal action against these companies , we are sending a clear message that we will do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers ,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in the joint statement last week .
Health effects cited
Perfluorooctane sulfonate ( PFOS ), perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ) and other perfluorinated chemicals are prized for their resistance to heat , stains , oil and water . The chemicals were phased out of production in the U . S . in the early 2000s . They were used to make carpets , detergents , clothing , non-stick coatings and cookware , in addition to firefighting foam ( AFFF ).
“ AFFF is a product that has been used to extinguish fires involving fuel or other flammable liquids , including aviation fires and fires in aircraft hangars extinguished with automatic fire suppression systems ; to train firefighters ; and to test firefighting equipment ,” the complaint states .
The complaint goes on to detail the health risks associated with exposure to PFOS and PFOA . “ Human exposure to PFOA is associated with an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer , ulcerative colitis , and other conditions ,” it reads . “ Human exposure to PFOA and PFOS is associated with an increased risk of immune system effects , changes in liver enzymes and thyroid hormones , low birthweight and other adverse health conditions .”
The complaint describes the chemicals as “ significant threats to public health and the environment ,” due to being “ persistent ” and slow to break down in the environment , “ bioaccumulative and biomagnifying , meaning that they tend to accumulate in organisms and up the food chain ; and toxic , meaning that they pose serious health risks to humans and animals .”
According to a study by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released earlier this month , these chemicals – also referred to as “ perfluoroalkyls ” – are slow to leave the human body . In the study , ATSDR estimates the human half-life for PFOA to be 8 years and 5.4 years for PFOS .
The report stated that , in 2017 , the International Agency for Research on Cancer “ concluded that PFOA is possibly carcinogenic to humans ” and , in 2016 , the EPA found “ suggestive evidence of the carcinogenic potential of PFOA and PFOS in humans . Increases in testicular and kidney cancer have been observed in highly exposed humans ,” the report reads on page six .
When they knew
Another troubling aspect of the case involves the state ’ s claim that companies “ knew or should have known that in its intended and / or common use , AFFF containing PFOA / S would very likely injure and / or threaten public health and the environment .”
Indeed , the state points out that , in 2006 , 3M agreed to pay a penalty of more than $ 1.5 million to the EPA for “ failure to disclose studies regarding PFOA / S and other per fluoroalkyl substances dating back decades ” to the 1970s . “ Neither 3M nor … the other defendants , complied with their obligations to notify EPA about the ‘ substantial risk of injury to health or the environment ’ posed by their AFFF products containing PFOA / S ,” the complaint alleges .
“ Only through our own diligence do we now know that the very products used decades ago to promote public safety , contained chemicals that pose a threat to public health ,” Department of Health Commissioner Dr . Howard Zucker commented last week .
Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay applauded the legal action , citing the City of Newburgh as an example of where the contamination has taken a serious toll . “ This city of nearly 30,000 people has been exposed through polluted drinking water , and people are advised to eat no fish from several creeks ,” he said , shortly after the announcement . “ Fundamentally , polluters will keep polluting unless they are forced to bear the consequences .”
The lawsuit follows a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of dozens of area residents which also names 3M Company and Tyco Fire Products as responsible parties causing exposure , possible adverse health effects and damage to property .
Editor ’ s Note : Mid Hudson Times Publisher Carl Aiello is among the plaintiffs in a class-action suit filed on behalf of residents exposed to the chemical PFOS .
Ralph Coates joins race for 104th Assembly seat
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programs and other “ proactive measures ” to help people addicted to opioids and other drugs to keep out of prison .
He spoke at length about education . “ As a former school board president , I have a lot of knowledge in this area ,” said Coates , who was president of the Poughkeepsie Board of Education from 2012 to 2017 .
“ We need equity in school funding ,” he said . “ The way the system is set up in terms of percentages and what districts receive in funding isn ’ t fair . I don ’ t believe that Scarsdale and Chappaqua should be receiving the same funding as Newburgh and Poughkeepsie . They have a larger tax base .”
“ Poughkeepsie and Newburgh are urban cities ,” he added , grappling with problems such as crime and poverty , with a smaller tax base than many communities .
“ Approximately 75 percent of the Poughkeepsie school district funding comes from the state ,” said Coates , who testified on behalf of the school district in the “ Small Cities ” lawsuit , in which students and parents in eight school districts , including Newburgh , claimed the state violated students ’ rights by not providing adequate funding for a sound , basic education . “ There needs to be equity across the board ,” he said .
Coates promised to “ fight for the district ,” the same as Frank Skartados , who passed away in April , leaving the seat open after serving more than four terms in office .
In a press release put out this month , Coates pledged to continue Skartados ’ work , fighting for jobs , criminal justice reform , and opioid addiction treatment and prevention , among other initiatives , and to advocate for increased services and funding in the communities he served .
“ I will make sure every community in this district is given the attention it deserves , whether it ’ s as large as Newburgh or small as the Town of Lloyd ,” he said . “ It will be my responsibility to make sure those needs are met and services are being provided .”
Coates served on the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council from 2010 to 2011 and currently serves as a trustee for Dutchess County BOCES . Previous to working for SUNY Orange , he worked for 17 years as coordinator for Marist College ’ s Upward Bound program .
The Democratic primary election takes place on Thursday , Sept . 13 . To learn more about Ralph Coates , visit ralphcoatesforassembly . com .